December 2021

Tips to Find the Right Shoe for You

Going shoe shopping can be difficult. There are many factors to consider when purchasing a new pair of shoes. One of the most important factors is the correct size shoe. A quality-made and comfortable shoe should fit your foot properly. Having the right fit can also relieve and prevent certain foot conditions. To find the right size shoe, it is helpful to shop at a brick-and-mortar shoe store. Here, a salesperson can measure your foot and ensure you try on the correct size shoes. It is recommended to go shoe shopping towards the end of the day, when the feet tend to be at their largest due to natural swelling. Buying shoes that fit your feet when they are at their largest, will ensure that they fit comfortably throughout the day. It is also suggested that you wear the socks you intend to wear with the shoes. When you try on the shoes, walk around the store and make sure they feel comfortable. For more tips on how to find the right shoes for you, consult with a chiropodist today. 

Finding the right shoes for you can ensure your comfort and help maintain proper foot health. If you suffer from foot pain and need help finding the right shoes for you, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Tips to Find Great Shoes 

Finding shoes that are well-fitting, supportive, and comfortable can be key in maintaining your overall foot health, but can sometimes seem like a monumental task. 

Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind when shopping for shoes. 

  • Shop in a brick and mortar store - Your shoe size can change throughout your lifetime. You will be able to try on shoes before you buy them to ensure a proper fit. A salesperson can also provide recommendations on what shoes best serve your specific needs.

  • Try shoes on at the end of the day - Your feet swell throughout the day. By trying shoes on in the evening when the feet are at their largest, you ensure a good fit and shoes that are comfortable all day.

  • Have your feet measured - Find the right fit by having your feet measured at the shoe store. A salesperson can help by measuring both feet with a Brannock device to determine your true size. 

  • Opt for comfort and support - Some shoes, such as high heels and flip flops, may look great but can cause damage to the feet over time. Look for shoes that have a low heel, adequate arch support, a wide toe box, and are made of breathable materials. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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What Are Bunions?

Bunions are a common foot disorder characterized by the appearance of a bony bump on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe. Bunions grow slowly due to pressure on the joint of the big toe. This pressure causes the big toe to move out of place and lean toward the other toes. Bunions are often the result of genetics and are exacerbated by lifestyle factors, such as wearing shoes that are too tight, high heels, or shoes that have a narrow toe box may create bunions as well. Some people are naturally predisposed to developing bunions, and their risk may increase if they wear ill-fitting shoes. Certain foot conditions, such as arthritis and flat feet, can also make bunions more likely. Without treatment, bunions tend to worsen and grow larger causing severe pain and discomfort, making it difficult to wear shoes. If you have developed a bunion it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Bunions progressively worsen over time and may cause walking in your shoes to become difficult. To learn more about bunions, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Are Bunions? 

A bunion is a bony bump that protrudes from the base of the big toe. Bunions are caused due to a misalignment of the first metatarsal. The characteristic bump of a bunion forms when the metatarsal shifts outwards from its proper position. Bunions develop slowly over time and progressively worsen without treatment. The skin over the bunion may develop calluses due to the friction from shoes. Eventually, a bunion can make walking uncomfortable or even painful. Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities and are especially common in women and older adults.

Symptoms

A bunion appears as a bulging bump on the outside of the base of the big toe.

The bunion may also: 

  • Be swollen, red, or sore 

  • Develop corns or calluses over it

  • Cause pain

  • Limit the big toe’s range of motion

Treatment

There are several different treatments available for bunions. Conservative treatment options include wearing shoes with a wider toe box, cushioning the bunion with a specialized pad, wearing shoe inserts, icing the bunion if it becomes inflamed, and taking medications to relieve pain. In more severe cases, more invasive procedures may be done. This may involve removing the swollen tissue around the bunion, straightening the big toe, realigning the bones at the front of the foot, or a combination of these procedures. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs

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Reminder: When Was the Last Time...?

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

Poor Wound Healing and Diabetes

Poor wound healing, especially on the feet, is a common complication of diabetes. The decreased sensation in the lower limbs that often accompanies diabetes, called peripheral neuropathy, can make it difficult to detect cuts, scrapes, and sores on the bottom of the feet. Poor circulation, another condition associated with diabetes, can cause wounds to heal very slowly. Left unnoticed and untreated, wounds on the bottom of the feet can become infected. If you have diabetes, it is important to take steps to prevent wounds and to practice proper wound care should one develop. Wounds may be prevented by properly managing your blood glucose levels, washing and drying the feet thoroughly, wearing comfortable supportive shoes, and performing daily foot inspections to look for any cuts or sores. If you find a wound, treat it promptly by cleaning the wound and covering it with a bandage. If a foot wound is healing poorly or showing signs of infection, it is strongly suggested that you find a chiropodist who can help take care of your feet.

Wound care is the process of treating and preventing wounds on the feet. This is especially important if you have diabetes, as diabetic foot wounds are common and can lead to serious complications when left untreated. To learn more about proper wound care, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Why Is Wound Care Important for Diabetics?

While wound care is important for maintaining the health of your feet, it is especially important for people with diabetes. This is because diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation, causing foot wounds to heal very slowly or not to heal at all. Diabetics also frequently suffer from neuropathy or nerve loss. This means no matter how big or little the wound, they might not feel it on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. This is why it is imperative that diabetics complete daily foot checks.

Wound Care Basics

The best way to care for wounds is to prevent them in the first place. It is recommended that people with diabetes perform a daily examination of their feet to locate cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds. Early detection allows for ample time to treat the wounds and prevent further complications. If you notice a wound at home, you can clean it using water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover the wound with a clean bandage. Seeing a chiropodist, who can examine your feet thoroughly and treat any existing wounds, can also help you maintain proper foot health. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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